Genesis GV80 SUV priced and specced

Asian luxury car brand’s first SUV priced under $100,000 to target Audi Q7, BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE

Genesis Motor's first-ever SUV, the Genesis GV80, will begin arriving in Australian showrooms from October priced from just over $90,000 plus on-road costs and jam-packed with high-end equipment.

The all-new Genesis GV80 is a large luxury SUV available with five or seven seats, rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive configurations, three engine types – petrol and diesel – across four model grades.

It joins the Genesis G70 and G80 sedans in Australia and is expected to be the Korean luxury brand's top-selling model in short order, pitched as a genuine rival to the popular large premium SUVs like the Audi Q7 (from $101,900), BMW X5 ($102,900) and Mercedes-Benz GLE ($105,090).

Although the cheapest version is a rear-drive turbo-petrol four-cylinder (whereas the established German trio is exclusively all-wheel drive and diesel-powered at base level), the big new luxury SUV undercuts it most direct competitors with a starting price of $90,600 plus on-road costs for the entry-level GV80 2.5T.

From there the Genesis GV80 continues to undercut the Germans with a $5000 premium for the AWD version of the 2.5T ($95,600), an $8000 premium for the V6 diesel 3.0D AWD ($103,600) and another $5000 premium for the GV80 3.5T petrol V6 AWD flagship ($108,600). Scroll down for the full price list.

Genesis GV80 review

Standard features across the range include genuine leather seat trim, 12-way power adjustable, heated and ventilated front seats, a large 12.0-inch head-up display, keyless entry, remote engine start, augmented-reality sat-nav and a thumping 21-speaker, 1050-Watt Lexicon audio system.

Open-pore woodgrain trim, a panoramic sunroof, wireless phone charging, 20-inch alloy wheels, power-operated tailgate and a large 14.5-inch high-definition touch-screen infotainment system with handwriting and voice recognition are also standard, as is colour adjustable interior LED mood lighting and dual-zone automatic climate control.

The Genesis GV80 sales pitch is very different to its rivals'

All Genesis GV80s come with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a range of safety systems, including 10 airbags, adaptive cruise control with stop/go and machine learning functionality, lane-keep and follow assist, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) for cars, bicycles and people, blind-spot collision avoidance assist and a surround-view 3D parking monitor.

Genesis GV80 unique selling points

A generous equipment list and striking designs inside and outside the vehicle aren't the only things that sets the Genesis GV80 apart from its European rivals.

Australian-tuned suspension is unique in the segment and Genesis employs a fixed-price sales strategy which leaves no room for haggling.

The fixed purchase price includes a valet service that includes vehicle home delivery and pick-up during delivery or servicing (including loan car delivery), along with free scheduled servicing for five years or 50,000km.

Hyundai's fledgling prestige brand says price negotiation is the most disliked part of the car buying process for most customers, and that “transparent pricing” and an all-inclusive car ownership experience will help set the Genesis apart from its rivals.

“At Genesis we simply offer this ‘best price’ from the beginning. While this may remove the standard illusion of getting a discount, it’s honest and hassle free,” said a spokesperson for the brand.

Genesis is promising high levels of cabin luxury

All Genesis vehicles are covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty along with 24/7 roadside assistance.

Unlike premium European brands that offer countless options and add-on packages, there are only two options available for the Genesis SUV; matt paint ($2000) and a luxury pack ($10,000).

The latter adds Nappa leather quilted seat trim with an upgraded 18-way power adjustable driver’s seat with massage function, a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, three-zone climate control, parking collision avoidance assist and plenty more. See below for the full spec list.

On paper the Genesis GV80 luxury SUV has all the elements required to take on the likes of the BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLE and Audi Q7 – except for the badge.

Despite Nissan's luxury brand Infiniti failing to attract enough customers to continue operating in Australia, Genesis Motors Australia CEO Jun Heo says the brand will succeed in Australia thanks to its bold new approach.

“As well as appreciating the Genesis pillars of desirable design, advanced technology, all-road capability and superior comfort, GV80 customers will be treated to the unprecedented luxury of the Genesis-To-You service, and a convenient all-inclusive ownership experience,” he said.

Genesis GV80 engine options

The first Genesis SUV comes with the choice of three all-new engines, with the entry-level Genesis GV80 2.5T five-seater powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine (224kW/422Nm) hooked up to an eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive.

The mid-spec Genesis GV80 2.5T AWD has the same engine but adds all-wheel drive and third-row seats, allowing for seven passengers, and is priced at $95,600 plus ORCs.

Genesis GV80 is offered with a new 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine

There’ll be plenty of interest around the only diesel model, the Genesis GV80 3.0D AWD, which is powered by an all-new 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder turbo-diesel that delivers a healthy 204kW/588Nm and is predicted to account for around half of all GV80 sales, according to Genesis.

Top-spec GV80 3.5T AWD models get a muscular new 3.5-litre turbo-petrol V6 (279kW/530Nm) and, together with the six-cylinder diesel model, add 22-inch alloy wheels, an electro-mechanical limited-slip differential to improve cornering and ‘road preview’ adaptive suspension.

The latter uses a front camera to scan the road surface ahead and prepare the adaptive dampers to deliver the best ride quality in the conditions, not unlike Mercedes-Benz's magic body control system.

All models have a maximum towing capacity of 2722kg, plus an 80-litre fuel tank, while boot space is rated at 727 litres with two seat rows in place, or 2144 litres with all rear seats folded down.

There are eight gloss and three matt exterior paint colours available.

Customer deliveries of the new Genesis GV80 will begin in Australia from October, but the big new luxury SUV is already on display at the Genesis Studio Sydney in Pitt St Mall and the recently-opened Parramatta Test Drive Centre.

Genesis GV80 equipment levels:

Interior:
12-inch head up display (HUD)
12-way adjustable power front seats with four-way lumbar support
Heated and ventilated front seats
Power tilt/telescopic adjustable steering column
Driver seat/steering wheel position memory system
40:20:40-split rear seat with slide and recline functions
14.5-inch HD touch-screen display
Navigation with augmented reality (AR) function & live traffic updates
Genesis integrated controller with handwriting recognition
Digital Radio (DAB+)
Apple CarPlay / Google Android Auto compatibility
Remote start via smart key
Power tailgate with smart opening function
Retractable sun-shades (rear doors)
21-speaker, 1050W Lexicon by HARMAN audio system
Wireless mobile phone charging system (Qi standard)
Dual zone Climate Control with haptic touchscreen control
Independent temperature control for 2nd row
Panoramic glass sunroof
Acoustic laminated windshield and front door glass
Genuine leather appointed interior
Leather appointed dashboard, door trim and console package with stitching
Open pore woodgrain trim
Adjustable ambient lighting

Exterior:
20-inch alloy wheels (2.5T)
22-inch allow wheels (3.0D and 3.5T)
LED headlights
LED tail-lights
Automatic high-beam assist

Safety:
10 Airbags - including front centre side airbag
Blind-spot collision avoidance-assist - Rear/Side
Blind-Spot view monitor
Driver Attention Warning
Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) w/car/pedestrian/cyclist detection
AEB junction turning/junction crossing function
AEB lane-change oncoming/lane-change side function
AEB evasive steering assist function
Lane keeping assist, line/road-edge
Lane following assist
Multi collision brake
Pre-active seat belt for front seats
Rear cross-traffic collision avoidance-assist
Rear occupant alert
Safe exit assist
Adaptive cruise control (ACC) with stop/go and learning function
Surround view parking monitor w/ 3D surround view function

Luxury package features ($10,000)

Interior:
Nappa leather appointed interior
G-Matrix quilted seat pattern
Suede headlining/pillars
Three-zone climate control
12.3-inch full screen Instrument cluster with 3D function
Active road-noise cancellation
Smart parking assist (SPA)
Remote smart parking assist via smart key
18-way adjustable driver’s seat
Ergo Motion massage function for driver’s seat
Heated and ventilated 2nd row seats
Power adjustable 2nd row seats
Power adjustable 3rd row seats (AWD variants)
Heated steering wheel
Power operated rear door retractable sun-shades
2nd row vanity mirrors